Training Workshops
Introduction to AutoCad: Basic drawing.
Prerequisite: None
This workshop will introduce students to the basics of AutoCad. This workshop will be divided into three sections. The first section, drawing setup, will discuss issues of drawing units, layers and the layer manager, and a brief discussion on managing toolbars. The next section, basic drawing, will cover the first and foremost commands used to produce drawings in the program such as line, copy, trim/extend, move, offset, etc. The last section, printing and saving, will discuss issues of model space vs paper space, viewports, and the basics for printing a legible drawing.
Intermediate AutoCad: Advanced drawing.
Prerequisite: Introduction to AutoCad workshop, or a similar experience.
This workshop will delve deeper into the interface of the program. More advanced methods for drawing, and organizing drawings will be discussed, such as the creation of blocks, managing x-refs, hatch patterns, and more advanced commands for drawing including stretch, array, and using poly-lines. This workshop will also discuss the tool palettes in the 2007 interface. If time is allowed, extra topics can be covered such as the creation of dynamic blocks, and the correct process for importing/exporting to and from Sketchup.
Advanced AutoCad: Special Projects and User Consultation.
Prerequisite: Intermediate AutoCad workshop, or a similar experience.
The Advanced AutoCad sessions will be structured more as advanced consulting sessions or office hours held in the Digital Research Lab with the AutoCad trainer/expert scheduled to be available in the computer lab and provide software assistance. Students may show up at any time during these office hours. It will allow students to pursue their own projects and ask for assistance and advice on a case-by-case basis. Issues involving applications of this software to real life situations and design problems may be reviewed and discussed. As well, the ‘extras’ from the above workshops can be discussed in further detail such as dynamic blocks, tool palettes, or even the three dimensional applications of the software.
Introduction to Revit: The difference in BIM software along with a new Interface
Prerequisite: None
Come to this workshop if you’re looking to understand some of the newest architectural representative software on the market. This workshop will begin to explain some of the differences in the Building Information Modeling software packages versus the typical CAD software that have been around for many years. We will discuss the basics of the Revit interface and everything else you need to know to begin to produce architectural drawings within the program. Additional topics like general image output and basic rendering will also be covered.
Video Editing With Final Cut: Capture and edit video with the industry-standard software.
Prerequisite: None
Whether your working with live video, computer-generated animation or a series of still graphics, Cut allows designers to remix and enhance raw content into coherent productions. This workshops will cover the basics to get you started using a range of tools and methods available in Final Cut.
Rhinoceros.
Prerequisite: None
Rhino is uniquely controllable and customizable providing powerful parametric control over a modeling environment that can mean unique implications for fabrication, machining and construction. This tutorial will cover the basics of Rhino and introduce students scripting language, Rhinoscript. Rhino is an easy pickup for students who have used another NURBS modeler such as Maya or FormZ.
Introduction to the Digital Output Center (DOC).
This 30 minute training session covers an overview and hands-on demonstration of the plotting, printing, scanning equipment, and services in the DOC, as well as related policies and procedures. This introductory session does NOT include training on the laser cutter.
Sketchup Workshop.
Prerequisite: None
This 90 minute session assumes little, or no, previous knowledge of this or any other modeling software. It covers everything a designer needs to get started modeling in Google Sketchup, with an emphasis on powerful, intelligent use of this incredibly easy-to-use software. Studio work by our Architecture Program’s students will be presented. A brief discussion of Sketchup’s role in current and future architectural practice will be included.
Introduction to FormZ: Basic Modeling and the Interface.
Prerequisite: None
This session provides an overview of the potential of FormZ in architectural design. For many designers, FormZ has long been an essential universal application enabling architects to model any conceivable form (and some that are inconceivable). FormZ’s powerful tool set can be intimidating to the fresh user. This tutorial session is designed to get students over that initial hump. It will provide a conceptual and technical foundation of the interface of the software. Essential tools will be demonstrated and discussed. The different rendering capabilities will be described and lighting within the environment will also be discussed.
Advanced FormZ: Extra Techniques and Further Nuances.
Prerequisite: Completion of the Introduction to FormZ workshop or similar experience
Come to this workshop if you’re looking to understand some of the nuances of FormZ as well as more complex parametric and generative tools that can make the design process richer. Visualization and output from the software is equally important and will also be discussed in greater detail than the previous workshop. In addition a special focus on moving between software and media will take place. FormZ’s powerful toolset for key-frame animation will be covered, demonstrated and discussed as well.
Introduction to the Laser Cutter.
Prerequisite: None
This 45-minute session offers an overview and hands-on demonstration/usage of the Laser Cutter. This training begins in the Digital Research Lab and concludes in the Digital Output Center.
Beginning Photoshop Workshop.
Prerequisite: None
This 90-minute tutorial session provides an overview of Adobe Photoshop CS as a raster drawing/collaging interface. Tools and methods are presented in the context of architectural design. Special attention will be given to methods of enhancing hand and computer generated drawing. General procedures for creating pdf’s, from final images, will be discussed so as to create manageable files for printing in the DOC.
Intermediate Photoshop Workshop.
Prerequisite: Beginning Photoshop Workshop or similar experience
This 90-minute session provides a further look into more of Adobe Photoshop CS’s features. More tools and methods are presented in the context of architectural design and image manipulation. Attention will be given to more unique features of the program and possibly into basic website design through the Image Ready software.
In-Design Workshop.
Prerequisite: None
This 90-minute tutorial session provides an overview of Adobe In-Design CS as an organizing, collaging, and layout tool. Tools and methods will be presented in the context of architectural design and graphical presentation. Special attention will be given to methods of organizing images and text to easily modify and create master pages which can streamline portfolio designs, or create otherwise professional looking presentations. Also, correct methods of organizing files and correctly exporting documents will be discussed.
Adobe Illustrator Workshop.
Prerequisite: None
This 90-minute tutorial session provides an overview of Adobe Illustrator CS as a graphical tool. Special attention will be taken in this vector-based graphical program to explore the similar, but varied interface of this Adobe Suite program. Commands such as live-trace, live-paint, curve design, and others for further image manipulation and organization will be explored to provide different methods for alteration and production of images. In addition, methods for correctly exporting and printing files will be discussed.
Maya - Introduction
This introductory course will introduce Maya as a solid 3d-modeling program. General software interface and basic commands will be covered. Major topics such as image application to planes for direct modeling approaches will be discussed. Additionally, procedures for exporting final images and models will be explained.
EIAS Animator - Introduction
This introductory course will introduce Electric Image Animation Software. This easy-to-learn animation program can be very useful for generating quick, smooth and elaborate animations by importing a variety of 3d model file formats. Procedures for importing these models, interface description, and general camera, lighting, and rendering usage will be discussed. Students should bring either a 3d cad based, or 3d FormZ model for importing into the software.
Advanced Skethcup Topics
This course will explore some of the more advanced features of the 3d modeling program Sketchup. Issues such as topographic generation, image mapping, animation, and other useful tricks will be discussed. A prior understanding of the basic Sketchup interface and program functionality is required. A discussion of what ‘not to do' will also be included with this course. Certain graphic outputs from this program have been deemed skeptical and a few easy tricks can get your ideas across in a less offensive fashion. Topics such as ‘reverse face,' ‘two-point perspective' and ‘field of view' will be elaborated upon.
Adobe Suite Advanced - User consultations
This course will consist of individual help on projects related to any program found within the typical Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign). A minimal level of knowledge would be preferred, as this workshop would help fine tune presentation graphics, not create them for you. Anything from studio projects to portfolio creation could be explored.
AutoCad Advanced - User consultations
This course will consist of individual help on projects related to anything AutoCad. Fine tuning final presentation graphics or any other helpful assistance can be given within this course. Suggestions for increasing software efficiency, drawing layout, line weights, printing issues, model space organization, or more advanced issues within the program such as dynamic block creation or 3d modeling could be discussed. This workshop is meant to improve individual users with using the AutoCad software and to expand their knowledge about some of the more advanced features.